PARIS, FRANCE - Tuesday, June 13, 2017: England's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in action against France during an international friendly match at the Stade de France. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Arsenal ‘ready to sell’ Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool this summer

Arsenal are reportedly willing to sanction a £25 million deal to sell Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool, with his contract set to expire in 2018.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been widely touted as one of Jurgen Klopp‘s targets for the summer transfer window, as the German bolsters his squad ahead of 2017/18.

Despite the £36.9 million signing of Mohamed Salah on Thursday night, this is not expected to dampen the Reds’ interest in Arsenal‘s No. 15.

The 23-year-old was previously due to enter talks with the Gunners regarding an extension to his current contract, but that now seems an unlikely scenario.

According to the Independent, Arsenal are “ready to sell” Oxlade-Chamberlain, due to the Premier League‘s new wage rules.

A club’s wage bill is not permitted to be over £7 million more than it was in 2016/17, or £19 million more than five years ago, in 2012/13.

And with both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in line for big-money contracts, Arsenal will be forced to sell.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is among those likely to depart, along with Olivier Giroud, Jack Wilshere and a host of peripheral figures such as Wojciech Szczesny, Calum Chambers and Kieran Gibbs.

The report claims that Liverpool could sign Oxlade-Chamberlain for £25 million, which would provide Klopp with another excellent addition.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 4, 2017: Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in action against Liverpool during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Oxlade-Chamberlain could serve as a versatile option in both midfield and attack, and still just 23, has considerable potential to develop further under Klopp.

While the signing of Salah would impact his prospects of a regular role out wide, it can be argued that Oxlade-Chamberlain would be more influential in a deeper midfield duty.

The Reds are currently pursuing RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita to operate as Klopp’s No. 8, but the Bundesliga side are adamant their star man won’t be leaving this summer.

This was compounded by UEFA’s ruling that both Leipzig and sister-club Red Bull Salzburg are eligible to compete in next season’s Champions League.

If Liverpool fail to sign Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain would be an interesting alternative, potentially taking up a similar role to his former Southampton team-mate, Adam Lallana.

Due to Oxlade-Chamberlain’s flexibility, too, he could provide cover in a variety of roles—including for both Salah and Sadio Mane on the flanks.

The first-choice wingers will both likely head to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019, with Egypt and Senegal respectively, and Klopp will require a contingency plan for while they are away.

While that is a long way off at this stage, Oxlade-Chamberlain would be a perfect alternative, and for £25 million, he would be a great signing for Liverpool.

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